New horse - checklist of what I need to buy...

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bellsinheaven

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Can I just check I have everything sorted for the next few months with a new horse? Aware I will need more stuff in summer, but this is my initial investment for winter....
Saddle
Bridle
2 x saddles pads
Brushing boots
Headcollar and leadrope
1 x thin stable rug without neck
1 x thick stable rug with neck
1 x thick turnout rug with neck
1 x thin turnout rug without neck
Grooming kit inc sponges, hoof oil etc

Any recommendations for decent rugs? Wetherbetta seem decent without breaking the bank....
 
Have you got feed bins/ mucking out equipment etc etc?

Also are you going to be travelling him to comps and clinics? is so then add travel stuff and a fleece or dri rug.
 
Littlebear said:
Have you got feed bins/ mucking out equipment etc etc?

Also are you going to be travelling him to comps and clinics? is so then add travel stuff and a fleece or dri rug.
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I am full livery so no need for those. And yes probably, but not for the first few months....this is really just my initial outlay until the summer....
 
Best bits of kit I can recommend for your cupboard:
Hibiscrub
Nappies
Bandages/vet wrap
Thermometer
First aid book
Plenty of hi viz clothing
7 day-mud away
Good waterproofs
Good gloves
Good coat

Best bit of advice I can give you
DONT GRUB IT UP 😊
 
People like different rugs depending on the shape of their horse as some suit different body types better than others. I have arab and TB types and have a range of rugs including Horseware (Rambo, Rhino and Amigo), Bucas, Shires and Weatherbeeta. I only use neck covers in the worst weather because I have horses with long manes and don't want mane rubs. Look at the denier that a rug is made from as generally a higher denier will be tougher. Also the material that a rug is made from makes a big difference.

Definitely add hi viz for both you and the horse to your list. I like V-bandz and a couple of exercise rugs (one waterproof and one mesh) will be an excellent investment IMO. :) You might want a fleece exercise rug too. This could be wool or synthetic but they are good in very cold weather.
 
Definitely look on Google or Facebook marketplace for rugs. Bargains can definitely be had, and as long as they fit your horse he/she won't care that they aren't sparkly and new.

What about lunge equipment? I found it invaluable whilst I was waiting for my saddle to be adjusted.
 
Oh how exciting! I love a list :D

I don't think I can think of anything else, I'm assuming water buckets etc. are provided (or automatic drinkers)?

:)
 
All depends what kind of horse you get as to how many rugs you need. My preference is for a lightweight turnout with some sort of liner system so you have options, to start with I'd want the option of making up a 0g, 100g, 200g turnout rug, maybe a 300g for later in the year. I use turnouts in the stable rather than separate stable rugs, I would rather have a backup lightweight turnout as they can do double duty. A fleece/ cooler/ thermatex type thing would be another very useful rug.

As you're on full livery label absolutely everything. Dog tags with your initials, permanent marker on the inside of rugs, those embroidered school name tags you sew on can be sewn in a loop round buckles, nail polish your initials on the backs of brushes, doesn't really matter how you choose to do it as long as it's visible and easy to identify. Keep a sharpie/ nail polish in your grooming kit so as the name wears off you can top it up.
 
I don't use any boots bandages except for XC and jumping at competitions.

Even on full livery you may be expected to provide water buckets, feed buckets and haynets.

If the horse isn't clipped then I would start with something like 100g turnout and stable and build up as you go. You will end up with too many eventually. I like Weatherbeeta, Horseware Rhino or Rambo and Fal but a lot depends on what your horse fits. However go for higher denier for turnout, very 600d one I have ever bought has leaked. I'm not keen on necks but if I do have one prefer detachable.

Look on local facebook groups for people selling off stuff.
 
I’m full livery and still have my own buckets and haynets - hygiene reasons mainly!

Others may already be mentioned but I’d say:

Bridle
Saddle (fitted obviously)
Bit (go with what currently ridden in and then adjust as you get to know the horse)
Girth
Stirrups and leathers
Exercise sheet (fleece and hi viz)
Hi viz for you too
Grooming kit
First aid kit - including poultice bits and bobs just in case
I also stock up on fly spray etc as and when do I have some ready when spring eventually hits!
I would say for rugs:
Lightweight turnout x 2 for swapping when one is drying
Light stable rug - I don’t use necks for stable if I don’t have to to give their neck some air
Light/middle turnout
Medium turnout - if clipped
Medium stable - if clipped

Another tip - look out for summer bargains now. Likely to be fly rugs on offer at the moment and bits like that which may be cheaper to purchase now.
 
I'm on full livery and have to supply my own water buckets, feed buckets, haynets, and feed bins, so check with the yard what you need.
 
Perfect for now, you'll be able to tailor other purchases to your horse as not all horses need ALL products, and of course if you're having trouble with specificity you can always come back here! How exciting - enjoy him :)
 
bellsinheaven said:
Can I just check I have everything sorted for the next few months with a new horse? Aware I will need more stuff in summer, but this is my initial investment for winter....
Saddle
Bridle
2 x saddles pads
Brushing boots
Headcollar and leadrope
1 x thin stable rug without neck
1 x thick stable rug with neck
1 x thick turnout rug with neck
1 x thin turnout rug without neck
Grooming kit inc sponges, hoof oil etc

Any recommendations for decent rugs? Wetherbetta seem decent without breaking the bank....
Click to expand...

Your list is ok for starters. For turn out rugs PE seem to be like marmite love or hate personally I’m not keen. Weatherbeeta are ok.

Rhino are also good, tough and well made but not as expensive as Rambo. Last year I bought a second horse and I bought a no fill and a 200g Rhino both with detachable necks and they’ve done the job all winter. Definitely get a fleece for putting on if your horse gets wet riding you can put that on underneath a stable rug.

Stable rugs are not so important so spend your money on good turn-outs. These days I mainly leave turn-outs on at night I don’t think I used a heavy-weight rug at all last year as it didn’t get that cold in the balmy south.

Unless you live in Timbuktu I would just get extras as and when you think you need them. Online shopping is also pretty quick and easy.
 
start with the basics you will soon work out what you need to buy in addition. personally i use far more rugs but i have bought them as and when i have needed them over the years. i always use a summer sheet under stable rugs and they are easy to wash and help keep outer rugs less hairy when they moult
 
Agree with brands of rug. I have everything from PE/Rhino back down to Gallop and honestly, my favourites have been Shires.

Shires lightweights don’t leak or rub for me, perfect shape for withery warmblood !

The PE are too heavy when wet, that said cold bright days it’s my Heavy weight PE cellular zone that I pull out.
 
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